Active fluid and air heat exchanger and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a modular apparatus and methods for active heat exchange involving continuous atomization of chilled or heated fluid droplets, droplets projection, and formation of fluid film on a large surface for reciprocal two way heat transfer with circulating air. A closed, pleated, corrugated, thin-wall, heat conductive chamber ( 1 ) provides the large surface for formation of fluid film and separation between fluid and air offering short and rapid heat conductive path between fluid and air. An axial blower ( 11 ) integrated with the heat exchanger module provides re-circulation of air where the heat exchanger module ( 28 ) is situated. The modular heat exchanger ( 28 ) or multiple of which is integrated with other components such as a refrigeration unit ( 37 ), a heating element ( 25 ), and a central fluid reservoir ( 23 ) in which fluid is pre-chilled or preheated in the application of air conditioning and heating. The fluid is conveyed by small bore tubes to individual modules by a pump ( 26 ) then returns to the central reservoir ( 23 ) for re-chill or reheat in a close loop fluid flow configuration. A stepping motor ( 7   c ) controlled valve ( 7 B) regulated amount of fluid is processed by the heat exchanger. Energy is actively saved by control of heat exchange rate.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for atomizationof chilled or heated fluid, projection of droplets, and formation of afluid film in a chamber with large surface area for heat exchange in theapplication of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating of room,space, structure or dwelling.

Heat exchanger technology has long existed. Prior art for heat exchangerin application of refrigeration, air conditioning, commonly referred toas evaporator involves rapid expansion of compressed liquid refrigerantconverting to gas inside a small diameter metal tube fitted with heatconductive fins. Heat is absorbed while ambient air is blown over thisassembly by use of a motorized blower. For heating, the air is commonlyheated by flame or by an electrical resistive heater. In some cases hotfluid is circulated inside a similar device as the evaporator described.Various configurations of this basic heat exchanger are exemplified byU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,192,976; 6,035,927; 6,182,743; 6,178,766; 6,173,763,and 6,167,950. Disadvantages of this type of heat exchanger are many.Small diameter tubing, even long in length, does not possess largesurface area for heat transfer. Narrow thin fins, approximately on theorder of 2.5 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) in width and 0.25millimeter (0.01 inch) in thickness as commonly used, attaching edgewiseto the tubing, limit heat transfer capacity. Heat conduction must alsotravel a distance from the fins to reach the tubing. Air contact timewith the evaporator heat exchanger assembly is necessarily brief due tothe limited width of fins and high velocity of air travelling over theevaporator, contributing to low heat energy transfer. Air molecules inimmediate direct contact with cold or hot surfaces only perform heatexchange. Air is a poor heat conductor; molecule vibration caused byheat is not easily transmitted to adjacent molecules due to largedistances separating them. Such inefficiency leads to requirement oflarge capacity refrigeration and heating units to provide a largetemperature differential between the evaporator and ambient air at asacrifice of energy consumption.

Prior efforts to increase surface area for heat exchange, particularly,in the application of cooling fluid, between fluid and fluid employingsmall corrugated tubing, have been exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos.6,119,769 and 4,995,454. However, such modified configurations are farfrom adequate for efficient heat exchange between fluid and air in theapplication of air conditioning and heating.

In a central air conditioning and heating system for a structure ordwelling, a large centrifugal blower generating air flow with highstatic pressure is needed to propel air through the heat exchanger orevaporator and furnace into a system of large ducts for distributioninto various rooms and spaces through open grills. It has been verifiedby scientific studies that energy loss for a ducting system is greaterthan 20 percent of the total consumed by a central air conditioning andheating system. This energy deficit is primarily caused by heat gainedor lost while chilled or heated air travels through the ducts eveninsulated according to recommended common practice. Significant airvelocity is also diminished due to resistance from friction while air isin contact with large duct wall surface and confronting turns of theducts necessary for reaching final destinations. A large centrifugalblower for a central air conditioning and heating system for an averagesize dwelling consumes kilowatts of electric power per hour.

One disadvantage of the above described ducting system is therequirement of multiple size ducts to balance air flow and temperaturein various locations in a structure or dwelling dependent upon sizes,lengths, shapes, and turns of ducts. Proper balance of temperatures inall locations within a structure or dwelling is seldom achievable withsuch a method.

Baffles or shutters, preset or motorized, have been placed inside airducts in larger or commercial buildings to regulate amount of air flowinto a room or area in an effort to provide acceptable air flow andtemperature regulation in air conditioning. Such efforts are energywasting and far from satisfactory in delivering the right amount ofconditioned air.

Another disadvantage of the above-described ducting system is thattemperature of specific room or space within a structure or dwellingcannot be individually or incrementally controlled in an easy manner. Agrill with louver adjusting mechanism located in a room or space has tobe manually moved; therefore fine adjustment of temperature is notpossible.

Another prior art of heating a structure or dwelling involves heating alarge amount of fluid, generally water, with a large capacity waterheater and conveying the heated fluid to various locations of astructure through a system of pipes. Once reaching a particularlocation, the pipe is arranged in a back and forth fashion and mountedunder the floor, above the ceiling, or behind a wall as a heat exchangerradiating heat into a room or space. Such a heating system is commonlytermed a “hydronic” heating system. One disadvantage of such a heatingsystem is that a separate system is required for cooling. Anotherdisadvantage is that a large amount of fluid is needed to becontinuously heated thus requiring a large capacity heater withattending large energy consumption. Generally, temperature control invarious locations is not available or possible. Furthermore, thestructural element in which the “heat exchanger” is enclosed must firstbe heated before heat can radiate into a room or space. Occupants withinfeel the increase in temperature with significant delay. A warm buildingalso radiates heat to cold outside environment wasting energy.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a moreefficient heat exchanger and its integration into a functional systemfor refrigeration or air conditioning and heating purposes without allthe above mentioned deficiencies.

The present invention provides a modular apparatus that continuouslyatomizes a small quantity of chilled or heated fluid into a large numberof small droplets and projects the droplets onto a large surface area toform a fluid film for heat transfer. Atomization and projection isaccomplished by centrifugal force generated by a rapidly spinningslotted and screen cylinder. Rotating cylinders with perforations andcylindrical screens have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,145 and4,659,013. These various modes of atomization, primarily provided foragricultural spraying, possess shortcomings that render them unsuitablefor application in this invention. They suffer the inability touniformly generate droplets along the entire cylinder length or sustainthe cylindrical shape for uniform droplet atomization under highrotating speed or centrifugal force.

Earlier attempts in generating droplets along the long axis of arotating device by centrifugal force are also exemplified in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,022,956 and 3,168,596. Unfortunately these prior arts generatenarrow bands of droplets with large separation between bands; thereforethey are unsuitable in an application requiring uniform and even dropletdistribution.

The surface on which the fluid film is formed is the inner surface of aclosed pleated corrugated chamber composed of thin gage heat conductivematerial for promotion of rapid and efficient heat transfer. Ambientair, provided by a blower, circulating on the outside of this chamber,has long contact time with the chamber surface and large surface areafor greater amount of heat energy transfer.

Heat exchanger modules of this invention are intended to be located inrooms or spaces where air conditioning or heating is needed. A centralfluid reservoir is employed for chilling and heating fluid to beatomized by the heat exchanger. Small bore tubes are used to conveypre-chilled or preheated fluid to a heat exchanger and return forre-chill and reheat, eliminating the need for large air ducts as inconventional practice. Small tubes are also more economical as well asmuch easier to provide complete insulation to maintain theheat-energy-state of the fluid in transit. By providing a blower in theheat exchanger module at site where the module is installed has manyadvantages. One such advantage is the circulating air to be cooled orheated in the immediate vicinity of the module. There is no need for alarge central blower that consumes a large amount of energy. Thetemperature in a given room or space can be cooled or heated quicklywithout the problem of heat conduction of air over a long distance inreturning to the central blower to be cooled or reheated again. An addedbenefit of this invention is the ability to control temperature where itis needed and to what extent in individual room or space. The heatexchanger module or modules in area or areas without human occupationwithin a structure or dwelling can be shut off for further savings onenergy use.

The present invention of heat exchange module is equipped with amotorized variable valve for changing the rate of fluid being processed.Since the large heat transfer surface is so efficient, an increase offluid entering the exchanger increases the heat transfer rate as well.The heat exchange rate of any given moment can be calculated by inputfluid temperature, rate of fluid being processed, and the outbound fluidtemperature from an integrated exiting processed fluid temperaturesensor. This arrangement provides the heat exchanger's unique ability toactively respond to changing heat leakage (heat load) from amount ofheat transfer by increasing or decreasing fluid input to be processed bythe heat exchanger. After noting the heat transfer amount information atany given moment we can program an increase heat transfer rate toutilize available evaporator cooling or heater's heating capacityoptimally for purpose of energy savings. It should be noted that alltraditional air conditioners are passive with heat exchange ratesaffected by environment conditions from moment to moment resulting ingreater waste of energy. This invention is differentiated from traditionair conditioners by being able to actively change heat transfer ratebased on information gleaned from temperature sensors and control ofmotorized variable fluid valve (fluid processed rate).

A small air conditioner of this invention with a single heat exchangermodule operating with a thermostat control can be employed as aninstrument to measure a room's heat leakage (heat load) which utilizesthe major portion of an air conditioner's capacity to counter. Bykeeping a room's temperature constant, the heat absorption ordistribution rate is essentially the heat leakage rate which has notbeen able to measure previously.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a modular apparatus and methods foractive heat exchange involving fluid atomization, droplets projection,fluid film formation on a large surface for reciprocal two way heattransfer with air, and its integration with other elements into arefrigeration, or air conditioning and heating system.

More particularly, the present invention continuously circulates a smallquantity of pre-chilled or preheated fluid through small tubes toself-contained active heat exchanger modules located in specific roomsor spaces where fluid and air heat transfer take place. Moreimportantly, the processed fluid is returned for re-chilling orre-heating in a closed loop fluid flow circuit.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides aself-contained heat exchange apparatus comprised of an electric motor, astepping motor controlled variable fluid valve, a fluid delivery tube, aspinning slotted and screened cylinder, a pumping vane, a small enclosedchamber containing a temperature sensor for measuring returning outboundfluid, an electric blower, a closed heat conductive chamber, and ahousing shell in a modular configuration.

An aspect of the invention is the utilization of a motorized variablefluid valve to change amount of fluid being processed by the heatexchanger based on input and outbound temperature information plusprevious instant of input fluid rate denoting heat transfer rate.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides afunctional air conditioning and heating system with a single heatexchanger or multiple modules comprised of a central fluid reservoircontaining the evaporator of a refrigeration unit and a submersibleelectric resistive heater, a refrigeration unit (a compressor andcondenser), an electric pump, a central fluid dispenser, insulted smalltubes, and appropriate electronic temperature sensors and controls.

One important aspect is to employ fluid as a medium for heat exchangeinstead of air as in common practice. A small quantity of fluid isatomized into an extremely large number of small droplets, and a largenumber of droplets are spread over a very large area forming a fluidfilm. A large area for heat transfer results in ample amount of heatenergy being transferred between fluid and air, achieving highefficiency. Another object of this invention is to minimize heat energyconduction time between fluid and air across the heat conductive barrierfor rapid heat transfer. Use of thin gage heat conductive materialforming the wall of the closed chamber, separating the fluid film andcirculating air, provides heat energy transfer efficiency in quantity aswell as rapidity. Ability to effect a large amount of heat transfer alsorenders possible this invention to be active in changing heat transferrate. An important object is to maintain heat-energy-state of thechilled or heated fluid during transit to individual heat exchangers.This is made possible by transporting only a small quantity of fluidwith well-insulated small tubing for circulation in the closed fluidloop. This arrangement makes possible the elimination of energy-wastinglarge air ducts traditionally used for heat energy transport in similarapplications.

Another important aspect of this invention is that the rate of fluidturnover during heat transfer for each heat exchanger is so low, a muchsmaller and lower capacity refrigeration and heating unit are employedin a functional system compared to conventional air conditioning andheating systems. This aspect makes possible large initial and continuingeconomical and energy savings.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompany drawings, which are incorporated and form a part of thisspecification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together withthe descriptions, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a full cross section elevation view of the fluid and air heatexchanger module in accordance with the present invention, indicatingthe spatial relationship of components such as fluid delivery tube,stepping motor controlled variable fluid valve, small fluid chambercontaining sensor measuring temperature of process fluid, spinningslotted and screened cylinder, electric motor driving the spinningslotted cylinder, closed thin wall heat conductive pleated andcorrugated chamber, blower, and housing shell.

FIG. 1 a is a full cross section elevation view of the fluid and airheat exchanger with all the components described in FIG. 1 plus apumping vane connected to the electric motor and spinning slottedcylinder by an interconnecting rod.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fluid and air heat exchanger withsection of heat exchanger housing shell, portion of the closed heatconductive pleated and corrugated chamber, and portion of the spinningslotted cylinder removed exposing the spatial relationship andarrangement of the components.

FIG. 3 Is a perspective view of a fluid to fluid heat exchangerutilizing a Peltier device for absorbing or dispensing heat energy tosupply pre-chilled or preheated fluid to fluid heat exchanger.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view showing the manner the Peltier deviceheat exchanger is assembled for operation.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional elevation view of a fluid reservoir withchilling component (evaporator tube) of a refrigeration unit and heatingelement, and its relationship to a electric pump for fluid delivery tofluid and air heat exchanger module(s) and manual or electronic valvesfor regulating flow to each module.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of components andclosed loop fluid circulation when the Peltier device fluid to fluidheat exchanger is supplying pre-chilled or preheated fluid to fluid andair heat exchanger module.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing physical relationship and closedloop fluid flow between a chilling and heating fluid reservoir, arefrigeration unit, and associated pumps.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of multiple fluid and air heatexchanger modules' physical and functional relationship between acentral chilling and heating reservoir and a refrigeration unit.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an alternate fluid delivery tubewith an elastic tubing cover providing slits over the inner tubeperforations.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of an alternate fluid delivery tube asillustrated in FIG. 9 but oriented by turning 90 degrees showing patternof fluid spray.

FIG. 11 is a possible arrangement of a horizontal mount heat exchangerin perspective form.

FIG. 12 is an alternative arrangement of a horizontal mount heatexchanger in side elevation with a centrifugal blower.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   1 closed, thin wall, heat conductive, corrugated, and pleated    chamber-   2 slotted and screened cylinder-   3 open slot-   3 a fine mesh screen-   4 perforated tube for fluid delivery-   4 b elastic tubing-   4 c clamp-   4 d fluid delivery tube perforation-   4 e slit on elastic tubing-   4 f fluid delivery tube stopper-   4 g spray pattern through slit of elastic tubing-   5 electric motor-   5 a mount for chamber assembly to heat exchanger shell cover-   6 outer shell cover of heat exchanger-   7 fluid inlet tube for pre-chilled or preheated fluid-   7 a small tube carrying fluid from central reservoir to heat    exchanger-   8 outlet tube for processed fluid-   8 a small tube returning fluid from heat exchanger to reservoir-   9 drain opening into reservoir-   10 heat exchanger reservoir-   11 electric blower-   12 struts for mounting heat exchanger chamber to outer shell cover-   13 Peltier device heat exchanger outlet to heat exchanger-   14 Peltier device heat exchanger inlet from heat exchanger-   15 Peltier device heat exchanger cover-   16 Peltier device heat exchanger body-   17 channel or trough of Peltier device heat exchanger-   18 electronic Peltier device-   19 heat absorber or dissipater body-   20 heat absorber or dissipater cover-   21 heat absorber or dissipater outlet-   22 heat absorber or dissipater inlet-   23 central reservoir with refrigeration evaporator tube and    immersion heater-   24 refrigeration evaporator tube fin-   24 a evaporator tube of refrigeration unit-   25 electric immersion heater-   26 fluid delivery pump-   27 electronic controlled valve-   28 active fluid and air heat exchanger module-   29 Peltier heat exchanger assembly-   30 Peltier device heat absorber or heat dissipater heat exchanger    (fluid and air)-   31 blower for 30-   32 fluid reservoir associated with Peltier device heat absorber or    heat dissipater heat exchanger-   33 electric pump returning fluid to Peltier device heat exchanger    assembly-   34 optional exterior pump for circulating fluid between Peltier    device heat exchanger assembly and active fluid and air heat    exchanger-   36 reservoir for independently functioning air conditioner and    heater-   37 refrigeration unit-   38 pump for active fluid and air heat exchanger if no internal pump-   39 connecting rod between slotted cylinder and pumping vane-   40 pumping vane-   41 motor driving pumping vane-   42 one piece solid fin-   43 corrugated or pleated chamber in shape of an air bellow-   44 centrifugal blower

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intendedto limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications andequivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus andmethod for fluid and air heat exchange in the application ofrefrigeration, air conditioning, and heating of rooms, spaces,structures or dwellings. More particularly, the apparatus atomizespre-chilled or preheated fluid from a central reservoir into smalluniform sized droplets, projects the droplets by centrifugal force ontothe inner surface of a closed, thin-wall, heat conductive chamber andforms a continuous fluid film on the chamber wall. Heat energy ofambient air circulating outside the chamber is absorbed through thechamber wall and transferred to the fluid film inside the chamber in theprocess of heat exchange during refrigeration or air conditioning. Heatenergy is conducted through the chamber wall from the fluid film andtransferred to the ambient air in the process of heat exchange forheating. The fluid film is continuously being supplied with newlyarriving droplets, and excess fluid from the fluid film is collected andcontinuously returned to the central reservoir to be re-chilled orreheated, providing a closed loop fluid flow system.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a modularfluid and air heat exchanger comprised of a electronically controlledstepping motor driven fluid valve, a perforated tube for delivery offluid, a motorized spinning slotted screened cylinder, a closed thinwall, heat conductive pleated and corrugated chamber, an integratedpumping element, a small chamber containing a sensor measuring exitfluid temperature, an axial blower, and an outer enclosure. Thesecomponents interact to perform the functions of delivery of fluid to beatomized, atomization of fluid into droplets, projection of droplets,formation of a fluid film, pumping of processed fluid for re-chill orreheat, and circulating air within the module for fluid and air heatexchange. Temperature and humidity sensors and associated electroniccontrols enable the temperature of the room where the heat exchanger issituated, to be set and controlled by direct or remote controlindividually. Other components that are needed for the module tofunction as an independent air conditioning and heating device include arefrigeration unit. a heating element, a fluid reservoir with theevaporator of the refrigeration unit and the heating element immersed inthe fluid, an electric pump, and small tubes for delivery and return offluid to and from the module. These components interact to perform thefunction of fluid to air heat exchange in an independently functioningdevice for air conditioning and heating for a room or space within astructure or dwelling. In another aspect of the invention, multiplemodules are integrated with other components to form a complete airconditioning and heating system for a structure or dwelling. These othercomponents are comprised of a refrigeration unit, a heating element, acentral fluid reservoir with refrigeration evaporator and heatingelement immersed, an electric pump for fluid delivery, a central fluiddispenser, and multiple small tubes for delivery and return of fluidfrom and to the central reservoir.

An important aspect of this invention is the use of fluid instead of airfor conveying heat energy to be absorbed or dispensed due to fluid'ssignificantly higher heat energy absorption and retention capacity thanair of equal volume. Another important aspect of this invention is thatthe fluid processing rate per fluid and air heat exchanger inatomization is exceedingly low, on the order of less than 200 milliliterper minute for a 22.86 centimeter (9 inch) diameter heat exchangersuitable for central air conditioning and heating purpose. Anotheraspect of the invention is that low fluid turnover rate for re-chill orreheat requires small bore tubes on the order of 6.35 millimeter (0.25inch) diameter for fluid conveyance between central reservoir andindividual heat exchange modules. There are two importance consequencesas a result of this invention. One aspect is the elimination of the needfor large air ducts for heat conveyance used in conventional central airconditioning and heating systems with resulting higher efficiency andlow initial costs. Another aspect is the small amount of fluid requiredon the order of 1.6 liter from 8 modules for continuous re-chilling andrehearing in an average size dwelling of 833 square meters (2,500 squarefeet), leading to requirements of much smaller capacity refrigerationand heating unit compared to conventional systems. These two aspectsresult in significant power savings. Another aspect of this invention isthat each heat exchange module can be independently regulated forraising or lowering the ambient temperature of environment in which itis situated within a structure or dwelling, adding to occupants' choiceof desirable temperature comfort level. Modules in areas without humanoccupation can be independently shut off by electrically operated valvesand switches without affecting other modules in operation, leading tofurther power savings.

Referring now to the drawings and with specificity to FIGS. 1, 1 a, and2, a fluid and air heat exchange apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention is shown. An fluid atomizer is comprised of anelectric motor 5, with its output shaft connected to cylinder 2, withmultiple longitudinal slots 3, covered from inside with fine mesh screen3 a, for atomization of fine uniform size fluid droplets. A tube 4, withmultiple small perforations on the side of the tube at closest proximityto the inside cylinder wall at various intervals, closed at distal end,and connected to inlet fluid supply tube 7 is mounted off-center insidecylinder 2. Amount of fluid entering the heat exchanger is governed byvariable fluid valve 7 b set by stepping motor 7 c. Mounting position oftube 4 accounts for two important aspects of fluid delivery. Firstly,fluid streams sprayed from the tube perforations have minimal distanceto travel, thus requiring only a low pressure pump supplying the fluidwith attending low electrical power consumption. Secondly, the centerspace within the cylinder is reserved for an interconnecting rod linkingthe motor to pump vane 40. When small fluid streams from tube 4 strikethe screens of rapidly spinning slotted cylinder 2 part of the fluidmigrates through the screen openings by centrifugal force. Upon arrivingat edges of the screen wires, the fluid is sheared into uniform sizedroplets and projected outward in tangential and radial manner bycentrifugal force from cylinder 2. Fluid striking the closed concavesection of the cylinder accumulates until overcome by gravity and movesdownward and sideways due to centrifugal action and gravity untilreaching the next open slot's wire screen and sheared into droplets at aslightly lower position. These factors enable fluid to be atomized andprojected along the entire length of the slots.

The droplet atomization and projection device described above isenclosed within a closed, thin wall, heat conductive, pleated, andcorrugated chamber 1. The important objects for the chamberconfiguration include:

-   -   1. providing a surrounded surface for fluid droplets projected        from the spinning cylinder to form a continuous fluid film    -   2. providing a very large surface area for heat exchange between        fluid film and ambient air outside the chamber    -   3. providing a short conductive path for fluid and air heat        transfer    -   4. providing connection to a reservoir where processed fluid is        pumped out of the heat exchanger and returned to central        reservoir to be re-chilled or reheated again    -   5. providing a mounting platform for electric motor 5.

Droplets arriving at the inner surface of the closed chamber 1 possessenough kinetic energy to cause the droplets to flatten and spread. Thespreading droplets, due to their close proximity to each other, merge toform a continuous fluid film. Newly arriving droplets continuouslyreplenish the film, and excess processed fluid from the film runsdownward by the effect of gravity to the bottom of chamber 1 into theconnected reservoir 10 to be pumped away from the heat exchanger.Returning fluid is expelled from the heat exchanger by pumping vane 40into small chamber 8 a containing temperature sensor 8 b measuringtemperature of output fluid.

An axial fan 11, located inside the heat exchanger housing 6 mountedeither on top or below the heat exchanger assembly, propels or sucks inambient air through space 12 between chamber 1 and inside the housing 6wall. Ambient air traversing the length of the chamber wall allows longcontact time between air and chamber wall for more efficient fluid andair heat transfer.

Other elements are needed for the active fluid and air heat exchanger tofunction as an independently functioning device or as a complete systemin multiple modules in central air conditioning and heating within astructure or dwelling. These necessary elements are comprised of arefrigeration unit, a heating component, a reservoir in which the fluidis chilled or heated, a pump that delivers the fluid to module(s), andplural tubes for conveying fluid to and from the module(s). These, also,are important elements for the active fluid and air heat exchanger tofunction as a closed loop fluid flow system.

A preferred embodiment of the central reservoir is illustrated in FIG. 5with inclusion of an evaporator coil fitted with fin 24 from arefrigeration unit and a sealed electric resistive element 25 immersedin reservoir 23 covered with insulation 22. A tube delivers chilled orheated fluid from the reservoir 23 to a pump 26. The pump in turnpropels the fluid under low pressure to a single module or to a centraldispenser FIG. 8, 26 then conveys the pre-chilled or preheated fluidthrough insulated small bore tubes to multiple active fluid and air heatexchange modules. The processed fluid with heat gained or heat dispensedfrom the module(s) is returned by the integrated pumping element of themodule(s) to the central reservoir to be chilled or heated again in aclosed loop flow system.

FIG. 7 illustrates the components required for a independentlyfunctioning air conditioner and heater. This functioning unit iscomprised of a refrigeration unit (compressor and condenser) 37, acentral reservoir 36, a pump 26 for propelling chilled or heated fluidto a heat exchanger module 28, and small bore tubes for fluidcirculation represented by solid lines. An optional pump 38 forreturning fluid to the central reservoir 36 is included in theillustration should the pumping elements not be included with the heatexchanger module.

A complete central air conditioning and heating system is represented inFIG. 8 for a structure or dwelling. This system is comprised of arefrigeration unit (compressor and condenser portion) 37, a centralreservoir 36, a pump 26, a central dispenser 26 a, tubes represented bysolid lines for delivery of pre-chilled and preheated fluid to multiplemodules 28, and tubes for returning processed fluid to central reservoir36 represented by dotted lines.

Since the fluid flow requirement for each heat exchanger module is sosmall, less than 200 milliliters per minute as an example, there arevarious other possibilities for pre-chilling or preheating the fluid.One possibility is utilizing a Peltier device to heat or cool the fluid.This method is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. A separate assembledheat exchanger is represented in FIG. 4 comprising two mirror-imagedheat transfer bodies 16 and 19 with channels, two mirror-imaged heatexchanger covers 15 and 20 fitted with small tubes 13, 14, and 21, 22.The Peltier device 18 is sandwiched between the two heat exchangerbodies 16 and 19. The entire assembly is well insulated. This airconditioning and heating system is suitable for cooling and heating asmaller space such as a refrigerator or the passenger compartment of anautomobile with a scaled down fluid and air heat exchanger. A scaleddown version of the heat exchanger module with a 10 centimeter (4 inch)diameter closed chamber inside a 15.24 centimeter (6 inch) diametermodule housing is suitable for such applications. Required componentsfor this system to operate and fluid flow circuit are illustrated inFIG. 6. They comprise a scaled down fluid and air heat exchanger 28, asmall reservoir 35 associated with the fluid and air heat exchanger 28,an assembly of Peltier device heat exchanger 29, a conventional fluidand air heat exchanger 30, a blower 37, and a small reservoir 32associated with the conventional heat exchanger 30. Arrows in thediagram represent direction of fluid flow. Other possibilities ofheating fluid include use of conventional water heating solar panel orparabolic mirror. A more conventional method is to immerse a length oftube from the inlet loop of the central reservoir into a hot waterheater of a dwelling, then return and connect the central reservoir.

The fluid and air heat exchanger can be scaled to any size withincertain parameters. Diameter of the closed, heat conductive, pleated,corrugated chamber is only limited by the distance droplets can traveldetermined by the centrifugal force in projection of the droplets. Therotational speed and diameter of the slotted cylinder determine the sizeof the droplets and distance droplets can be projected by centrifugalforce. Optimum droplet size during formation of a continuous fluid filmin turn determines the rotational speed and diameter of the slottedcylinder. These factors determine the upper limit on the size of thefluid and air heat exchanger module.

Another aspect regarding the spinning cylinder is that no wire screen isneeded to cover the slot openings if the diameter of the spinningslotted cylinder is larger than 5 centimeters and the rotation rate isgreater than 3,000 revolutions per minute. The high rotational speed ofthe cylinder is so great that virtually all the fluid streams projectedby the fluid delivery tube is sheared into droplets before the fluid canescape through the open slots.

An alternative construction of the fluid delivery tube is illustrated inFIG. 9 and FIG. 10 for providing a wider spray pattern with more evendistribution of droplets impacting the inner surface of the rotatingslotted and screened cylinder 2. An elastic tubing 4 b, a silicon rubbertubing for example, is slipped over the perforated fluid delivery tube4. Fine longitudinal slits 4 e are made at center of each perforation. Aring clamp 4 c is attached to the elastic tubing above, below, andin-between each slit 4 e preventing the slit 4 e to move out of intendedposition due to fluid pressure. FIG. 10 illustrates a view in which theelastic covered fluid delivery tube assembly as in FIG. 9 is turned 90degrees to the left showing the spray pattern 4 g obtainable with thisconstruction.

The active fluid and air heat exchanger module thus described has beenshown in a vertical arrangement. However it is also possible to modifythe heat exchanger module to function in a horizontal position. Thismodification is illustrated in FIG. 11. The closed, thin wall, heatconductive corrugated, and pleated chamber is modified leaving the lowersection without corrugation and pleating to accommodate unobstructedflowing of processed fluid to the reservoir to be pumped away. Fins,exemplified by 42, are attached to the smooth area for compensation oflost heat exchange area due to lack of corrugation and pleating of thechamber wall. The reservoir 10 where the processed fluid is accumulatingis located perpendicular to the chamber orientation. An extra motor 41with a pumping vane 40 attached inside the reservoir 10 is mounted belowthe reservoir 10.

Another version of the horizontally mounted heat exchanger employs apleated chamber in the form of an air bellow 43 and a centrifugal blower44 mounted perpendicularly to the heat exchanger direction. Such anarrangement is suitable for automobile air conditioning and otherapplications.

Accordingly, the reader will see that the fluid and air heat exchangerand its integration with other elements into an independentlyfunctioning unit or a central air conditioning and heating systemprovide many advantages. These advantages include energy conservationdue to high efficiency energy use, low energy consumption, economicalinitial cost, ease of initial installation or retrofit, and independentrapid temperature adjustment in individual room or space. These benefitsare achievable due to the embodiments of the elements and method of thisinvention such as:

-   -   chilling or heating fluid in a central reservoir    -   propelling under low pressure chilled or heated fluid in small        tubes to individual room or space within a structure or        dwelling, thus eliminating inefficient traditional air ducts    -   calculating heat transfer rate for any given instant and        actively adjusting input fluid amount according to increase or        decrease of heat transfer rate    -   atomizing fluid into small uniform size droplets by centrifugal        force    -   projecting droplets by same centrifugal force onto a large        surface of thin, heat conductive material forming a fluid film    -   conducting heat energy through an exceedingly short path between        fluid film and air    -   returning processed fluid to be chilled or heated again in a        continuous closed loop cycle utilizing only a small amount of        fluid.

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. For example, the closed chamber or theouter shell of the fluid and air heat exchanger module does not have tobe circular in shape or size limited to that described. Furthermore, theorientation of the heat exchanger module can be horizontal or tilted atan angle with suitable modification of the chamber shape. Other examplesinclude heating slow moving fluid in a heat transparent tube withparabolic solar mirror or microwave beam or pre-chilling the tube inslow moving cool tap, well, stream, lake, or ocean water prior to beingdelivered to the central reservoir for final chilling or heating savingadditional energy.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. An apparatus of active fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration,cooling, and heating purposes in room, space, structure, and dwellingcomprising: means for controlling amount of fluid entering the heatexchanger for processing coupled with integrated temperature sensorsderiving heat transfer rate calculation means for producing controlledatomization and projection droplets onto inner surface of a closedchamber forming a fluid film for heat transfer, including perforatedtube means to deliver pre-chilled or preheated fluid for atomization,and motorized spinning slotted cylinder means to atomize fluid intodroplets and project droplets by centrifugal force, and closed, pleated,corrugated, heat conductive chamber means for forming a fluid film onits inner wall surface and conducting heat energy from outside ambientair to the fluid film in cooling and conducting heat energy from fluidfilm to outside ambient air for heating, and pump vane means to returnexcess fluid after the process of heat exchange from fluid film to bechilled or heated again, and motorized fan means to convey ambient airto outer surface of said closed, pleated, corrugated, heat conductivechamber to be cooled or heated.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1 includessaid perforated tube closed at one end with plurality of perforation atvarious intervals along its length means for projecting pre-chilled orpreheated fluid to the inside surface of said motorized spinning slottedcylinder to be atomized.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2 includes anelectric motor mounted outside at one end of said closed, pleated,corrugated, heat conductive chamber, means to rotate said slottedcylinder for atomization and projection of fluid droplets by centrifugalforce and driving said pumping vane.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 3includes said spinning cylinder with plurality of open slots along itslength covered with fine mesh screen is connected to said electric motorfor atomization and projection of droplets by centrifugal force.
 5. Theapparatus as in claim 4 includes said closed, pleated, corrugated, heatconductive chamber means to provide large surface area for formation ofa continuous fluid film from sprayed droplets, for large capacity ofheat transfer, and large amount of air contact at its outer surface. 6.The apparatus as in claim 5 includes said pump vane means to returnprocessed excess fluid to be chilled or heated again.
 7. The apparatusas in claim 6 includes multiple said active fluid and air heatexchangers mounted in plurality of rooms and spaces within a structureor dwelling for air conditioning and heating system.
 8. In an apparatusfor active fluid and air heat exchange for refrigeration, cooling, andheating purposes in rooms, spaces, structures and dwellings includestube means, motorized spinning slotted cylinder means, rotary pumpmeans, and closed heat conductive, pleated, corrugated, chamber means,the method comprising: introducing pre-chilled or pre-heated fluid forproducing atomized droplets shearing fluid into droplets by edges formedby wire of said fine mesh screen covering the slot openings of saidspinning slotted cylinder by centrifugal force projecting the atomizeddroplets by centrifugal force in radial and tangential manner onto theinner surface of said closed heat conductive chamber forming acontinuous fluid film on the inner surface of said closed, heatconductive chamber absorbing heat energy from ambient air outsidethrough heat conductive wall of said closed, pleated, corrugated chambertransferring heat energy from said fluid film through heat conductivewall of said closed, pleated, corrugated chamber to ambient air pumpingprocessed fluid from continuously replenished fluid film to a reservoirto be chilled or heated again in a closed loop fluid flow circuit.
 9. Inan apparatus as claim 8 the heat exchange method including: supplyingpre-chilled or preheated fluid to said active fluid and air heatexchange by insulated small bore tube atomizing fluid into dropletsapproximately less than 200 microns in diameter utilizing fluid at arate of substantially less than 200 milliliters per minute pumpingprocessed excess fluid via insulated small bore tube back to a reservoirto be chilled or heated again in a closed loop circulation.
 10. Activefluid and air heat exchange method as in claim 9 achieves independentcontrol of temperature in a room or space at various locations within astructure or dwelling, by coupling a thermostatic control valveregulating fluid supply to a particular said active fluid and air heatexchanger to alter fluid amount available for atomization.
 11. Activefluid and air heat exchange method as in claim 10 for independenttemperature control within a room or space of a structure or dwelling isaccomplished by electronically altering fan rotational speed of saidactive fluid and air heat exchanger, thereby changing circulating aircontact time and the amount of air in contact with said closed heatconductive chamber.
 12. A central air conditioning and heating systemand method for a structure or dwelling includes a plurality of saidactive fluid and air heat exchangers comprising: a central refrigerationunit means to cool fluid in a central reservoir a central reservoircontaining an immersed evaporator tube of said central refrigerationunit means for cooling and an immersed electric resistive heater forheating a central electric pump means to propel chilled or heated fluidto a central fluid dispenser means to distribute fluid to plurality ofsaid heat exchangers small tubes means to convey fluid to and fromindividual said heat exchanger in a closed loop fluid flowconfiguration.